Advisory Council

Senior Partner, Lawson Lundell LLP

Ross advises businesses, entrepreneurs, institutional clients, and individuals on corporate, commercial, real estate, and estate planning matters. With a background in finance and business, he brings strategic insight to his legal work across a wide range of industries, including technology, real estate, and the wine sector.

In his corporate and commercial practice, Ross advises on mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, reorganizations, corporate finance, and governance. He works closely with private companies, societies, and boards, providing practical guidance on a wide range of corporate matters and commercial agreements.

Ross also maintains a broad estate planning practice. A Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP), he helps clients develop and implement tailored wealth transfer and incapacity plans. He regularly advises on trusts, blended family arrangements, cross-jurisdictional asset ownership, and complex estate matters. He also assists with probate and estate administration.

As a real estate lawyer, Ross advises on property purchases and sales, development, subdivision, financing, marketing, and ownership structuring. His longstanding experience allows him to support clients through all aspects of real estate transactions, including those involving unique or complex issues.

Vice President, Branch Manager -Oldlum Brown

Doug is a Vice President and member of Odlum Brown’s Executive Committee, Branch Manager of the Kelowna office and a Portfolio Manager supporting high-net-worth clients around the world.  

Doug has previously held roles globally, including in London, Paris, Moscow, Beijing and Singapore, across numerous positions in both management and advisory roles with firms like Astra Zeneca, BP, BUPA, Cathay Pacific, Marks & Spencer and Phillips. 

Doug is an active volunteer, most recently having chaired the $500 million Beyond Belief Campaign for the BC Cancer Foundation while also coaching youth soccer and hockey teams. 

Doug holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Mechanical Engineering) from UBC and an MBA from INSEAD (France/Singapore). He is a Professional Engineer and holds the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designation and Certificates in Advanced Retirement Strategies and Advanced Estate & Trusts Strategies. He also speaks three languages. 

Senior Vice President, Strategy and Innovation – Kal Tire

Ken is the Senior Vice President, Strategy & Innovation and Chief Strategy Officer at Kal Tire, the largest independent tire dealer in Canada.  Kal Tire has over $2 billion in annual sales with 5,000 team members across Canada and 2,500 team members in international operations servicing mining customers in Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Australia. 

Ken led the retail and commercial operations from 2015 through 2025 and was CFO from 2009 through 2015. 

Ken previously worked with KPMG, Merrill Lynch Investment Banking, and Greenlight Power Technologies. He is currently a board member of Arrowleaf Real Estate Holdings, Rain City Industrial, Bannister Automotive Group, and the Foord Family Foundation. 

Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UBC Okanagan

Dr. Lesley Cormack is the Principal of UBC’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, B.C. In this role she provides overall leadership for UBC in the Okanagan and is a member of the UBC system executive leadership team, reporting to the President and Vice-Chancellor. 

Dr. Cormack joined UBC in July 2020 from the University of Alberta where she served as Dean of the Faculty of Arts from 2010 to 2020. Previously, she was Dean of Arts and Social Sciences at Simon Fraser University from 2007 to 2010 and, earlier, she taught at the University of Alberta in the Department of History and Classics for 17 years. 

An historian of early modern science, Dr. Cormack specializes in geography and mathematics of late 16th and early 17th century England. She earned both her PhD and Master of Arts from the University of Toronto where she studied history and philosophy of science and technology. Her publications include books published by University of Chicago Press, University of Alberta Press, and University of Toronto Press. 

Dr. Cormack is a strong advocate for public education and a believer in the power of culture and the value of storytelling. One of her greatest passions is live theatre, a passion she pursued as a Director for the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton for nine years. 

Her volunteer service also includes serving as a current member of United Way British Columbia’s Campaign Cabinet and the City of Kelowna Community Task Force on the Performing Arts; chairing the University of Alberta United Way campaign; serving as president of the Canadian Society for the History and Philosophy of Science; and work with the International Union for the History and Philosophy of Science. 

CEO, PRE Labs

Brad Field is a Kelowna, BC–based entrepreneur and industry leader with more than 30 years of experience in advanced protective products and survivability solutions. He is the Founder and CEO of PRE Labs Inc., where he leads the development of innovative body armour and high-performance protective textiles for defence, law enforcement, and first responders. Previously, Brad founded and built Pacific Safety Products into Canada’s largest body armour manufacturer. Recognized for his expertise in materials innovation and strategic growth, he is also an active community supporter, contributing to economic development and charitable initiatives throughout the Okanagan region. 

President, Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards

Jon Adrian. Architectural, winery and lifestyle photographer. Okanagan Photographer / Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards

Gordon Fitzpatrick is President of Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards. After 27 years of developing CedarCreek Estate Winery into one of Canada’s premium wineries resulting in two Canadian Winery of the Year awards, the Fitzpatrick’s have transformed their historic Greata Ranch property into a stand-alone boutique winery offering remarkable on-site hospitality experiences. The new winery, named Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards, is located just south of Peachland and focuses on traditional method sparkling wine of exceptional quality, but also produces a selection of estate grown still wines.

Past industry and civic duties include Member of the founding Board of Directors of Destination BC (2013 – 2017), Director, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) (2019 – 2022), Member of the Minister’s Council on Tourism (2011-2012), Chairman of the B.C. Wine Institute (2004-2006), Director of the Canadian Vintners Association (2002-2014), founding Co-Chair (2001-2006) of the Okanagan Partnership (a regional economic initiative sponsored by the National Research Council and UBC Okanagan) and Director of the Economic Development Commission of the Central Okanagan Regional District (2001-2005). He also served as a Director of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Bid Corporation.

Prior to operating the family owned wine businesses Mr. Fitzpatrick worked 10 years in the mining industry (1986 – 1996), serving as Vice-President, Corporate Relations and Secretary of Viceroy Resource Corporation, a gold company headquartered in Vancouver. Mr. Fitzpatrick is also experienced in government having served as Director of Western Operations, Office of the Leader of the Opposition (1990-1991) and as Special Assistant to the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources/Minister of External Affairs (1983-1984).

Mr. Fitzpatrick received a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) Degree from the University of British Columbia in 1983 while playing varsity rugby for the Thunderbirds (1980 – 1983).

Chair – Gopal Holdings LTD | Chair, Jim Pattison Centre for Health Systems Learning + Innovation

Raghwa Gopal is Chair of the Board for the Jim Pattison Centre for Health Systems Learning and Innovation and a seasoned executive in technology, economic development, and innovation ecosystems. He previously served as President and CEO of Innovate BC, where he advanced province-wide innovation and commercialization strategies. With deep expertise in governance, digital transformation, and cross-sector partnerships, he has contributed to major capital and technology initiatives, including enterprise systems modernization at UBC. Mr. Gopal also served as Vice-Chair of the UBC Board of Governors and is actively engaged in advancing entrepreneurship, global engagement, and education innovation.

President, Unison Jane Hoffman Realty

Jane Hoffman is the founder of Unison Jane Hoffman Realty and has been a trusted leader in Kelowna real estate since 1985. Originally from Revelstoke, BC, Jane was raised in a family business rooted in hospitality through the ownership of the Heritage Regent Hotel (Best Western), where she developed an early appreciation for entrepreneurship and service. Over her career she has achieved more than $3.5 billion in real estate sales, including the highest residential sale recorded in the Central Okanagan, and is widely recognized for her expertise in waterfront properties and the Okanagan lifestyle. Jane leads with a strong belief in relationships and human connection and is a dedicated advocate for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association and supporter of the YMCA. 

President, GSL Group

Graham Lee, is president and CEO of the GSL Group which was created as a business plan while working on his UBC degree in the commerce undergraduate entrepreneurship program. GSL is now Canada’s leading privately owned commercial/recreational/entertainment construction, development and operations company employing over 2,500 people. Driven by his business philosophy of creating equal accessibility to high end sports and music experiences regardless of geographic location, Graham’s arena complexes, including Prospera Place in Kelowna, changed the way private arena facilities were built in North America in smaller markets. He is a past member of the UBC Board of Governors and financially supports the UBC Innovation Centre because of his belief in entrepreneurship and innovation as the economic backbone of a community.

Founder, CEO, Troika

Renee Merrifield is the Founder and CEO of Troika, a Kelowna based real estate development, construction, and property management group operating across Western Canada. With more than 25 years of experience in real estate development and organizational leadership, she is recognized for advancing innovative housing solutions and building high performance teams. A former MLA for Kelowna Mission, Renee brings expertise in governance, economic development, and public policy. She currently serves on the boards of UBC Properties Trust and First West Credit Union, and is a member of the BC Business Council Board of Governors and the Urban Development Institute Okanagan Executive. 

CEO, Kelowna Airport

In July 2008 Sam was appointed the Airport Chief Executive Officer for the Kelowna International Airport – one of the top nine airports in Canada serving over 2.3 million passengers in 2025. Sam has over 36 years of experience in the aviation industry focused primarilyin the airport sector. He has held leadership roles including Chair of the Canadian Airports Council and Airports Council International North America. Heis currently serving as a board member of Tourism Kelowna and Airports Council International – World Board. Sam was also awarded Kelowna Chamber’s Business Leaderof the Year in 2023.

Chief Corporate Services Officer, KF Aerospace

Grant Stevens is the Chief Corporate Services Officer with KF Aerospace, a leading Canadian aerospace company with 1150 staff that competes globally in aircraft maintenance & engineering, military pilot training, aircraft leasing & cargo flying.   

As part of the Senior Executive team, he leads business support functions at KF including Human Resources, Training, Payroll, IT, Facilities Construction & Mgmt, Marketing & Communications.   

Grant has spent 40 years developing people & business solutions in tourism, forestry, and aviation; and has been recognized by Okanagan College and Mohawk College for his industry contributions. 

CEO, and Founder RWT Growth

Reece Tomlinson is Founder and CEO of RWT Capital Corporation, a leading Canadian mid-market M&A advisory firm she founded in 2017. She has advised on several billion dollars in transactions across 12 countries, with experience spanning buy-side, sell-side, distressed assets, and carve-outs. A Chartered Professional Accountant, Reece holds an MBA from Athabasca University and has completed executive education at MIT and Cambridge. She has founded or co-founded more than eight companies across finance, medical devices, and development. A WXN Top 100 Women in Canada recipient, her work has been featured in Forbes, Canadian Business, and beyond. Outside work, she is a parent to two young boys, an ultra-trail runner, and an avid skier. 

CEO, Ntityix Development
Mic joined the NDC executive team in summer 2021. As a Westbank First Nation Member, he has been actively involved in the evolution and success of WFN and its Corporate Entities. With over 30 years of experience in all aspects of Forestry and Natural Resource Management, Mic is excited to work with WFN Membership and the Ntityix Team to continue to grow future opportunities for both. Since an early age Mic spent most of his time on the land, in 1998 he graduated from Nicola Valley Institute of Technology with a diploma in Natural Resource Management. In 2018, he received his Master of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University. In his 30 + year career Mic has run chainsaw, worked for the Ministry of Forests, been an elected Councillor for WFN, been sole proprietor of his own business and held management positions in WFN and other organizations. Mic’s passion is being on the land and working with our people for the benefit the community.